The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams kicked off Week 8 of the NFL schedule and grabbed national attention with their results. The officiating overshadowed what was a great game, but the Vikings still lost.
The Vikings came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, and Sam Darnold had his two best drives of the season. From there, everything started to fall off for the Vikings across the board. The report card grades this week will be very interesting.
This performance has a lot to unpack; let’s do our best, do our teacher’s work, and grade this performance.
Quarterbacks
Grade: B
Sam Darnold didn’t turn the ball over, but he cooled down after a flashy start to the game. He wasn’t the reason the Vikings lost the game, but he also didn’t help them win it. He has proven to be a game manager, but his lack of playmaking is holding this team back officially.
Running Backs
Grade: B
Aaron Jones had a great game and continues to be the straw that stirs the drink with the Vikings offense. With all due respect to Justin Jefferson, Jones has been pivotal to the offense’s success. He is the one constant and dual-threat the offense has repeatedly used.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Grade: A
Justin Jefferson had over 100 yards again, Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield Jr. pitched in, and together, they did what they had to for Darnold. The second half was tough for them as the Rams made adjustments and shut them down more than not as a result.
Offensive Line
Grade: A-
This was one of the better games from the offensive line, especially from the interior. Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske were contained pretty well but Jared Verse had a sack and a half. Ed Ingram was playing for his starting job and he did well enough he should fend off Dalton Risner another week.
Defensive Line
Grade: C-
Kyren Williams ran all over the Vikings for one of his biggest games of the season. Matthew Stafford had all the time in the world and scored four touchdowns as a result. This group has performed beyond disappointingly in back-to-back weeks.
Linebackers
Grade: D
There was no pass rush, no run defense, and this was the worst performance of the season from this group. There’s not much else to say, but they need to get it together; otherwise, this season will be lost quickly.
Secondary
Grade: C
Stephon Gilmore and Byron Murphy Jr. made some plays but also gave up a lot. Gilmore looked his age against Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. He was getting beat on reps time and again. Murphy Jr., outside of the interception, also gave a forgettable performance.